Just whining

[Daeouse]

Hello all.
Been here a long while, mostly lurking over the past few years. So many changes have happened since I owned Freebie, and in a lot of ways for the better. I've got married, bought a house, gotten said wife pregnant, and rode out a nasty bug that's gone around a few times. Things are pretty good.
However, there is a single note that is off in my world. I don't old a classic Wing. I know, big shock, someone crying about a motorcycle (or lack thereof) on a forum, perish the thought! But seriously, I came close several times over the past few years, but I'm not sure how it will be resolved at this juncture. Houses, kids, life, these things are expensive, and there's little room for a motorcycle project that's taking up space.
I say all this, not to cry online (though I guess I am doing that), but to talk with others who've gone through these doldrums and can offer advice to get through these times. I really do like Wings, however the rules of the house (running, good condition, with title) generally put my usual price range above my ability to generate.
Thoughts? Advice? Comments about how I whine too much?

 

[D-50Dave]

My experience is different, but the similar. I bought my 'Wing before the life changes you describe. I ended up riding just over 100 miles the last season before I put it into long-term hibernation. Then woke it up when job changes happened that I had a fairly long daily commute. My humble advise is patience. Life continually changes and you will have time to ride in the future, just not now. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

 

[Rednaxs60]

Congrats on surviving a long list of items. Family first, kids teach us so much, and grow up too fast.

As for the Wing, decide what you want, find it, no compromise. If the bike you want is a project, or ready for the road is not relevant - get the one you want that looks good, key to the purchase and the engine turns over - roadworthy or not. There isn't an older Gold Wing out there that does not need some work.

If a project, do a little at a time, keeps your hand in and when you have it ready, ride it. If it is already roadworthy, proper layup, and ride it when you can. With mine, doing a little at a time, say 2-3 days or less, then put it back together so no one knows it was apart is the key. I always kept it to "what can I do in the shortest amount of time?". Kept the garage clean and the Mrs happy.

Make a budget for the Wing. Brakes, tires, bearings, carb refurbish, and such. Put together a work/maintenance timeline - what you are going to do and when. This will demonstrate to SWMBO that this new acquisition will not be a bottomless money pit, with the exception of Murhy's Law.

Family will take precedence, but having a great project like a Gold Wing to work on keeps the old brain box perculating.

We men have to be inventive/creative, but the family will pay more dividends in the long run then a Gold Wing.

Cheers

 

[Daeouse]

You're both most likely right.
The sad part right now is the really messed up market for these bikes, as the hipsters have inflated the Standard GL1100 & 1200 market, the fully dressed ones are either restored, or very ratty indeed, and way too overpriced.

Standard arguments, I know.

 

[kerryb]

I feel your pain...had my first bike experience (for the summer) at age 20. Didn't have another until age 52! Filled up the time in between riding bicycles, not fancy over the top bikes, just one good one I kept in perfect trim. My advice would be to keep looking, I have more than enough bikes now, and yet I keep looking and once or twice a year a bike comes along that I just can't pass up. Bought an '82 and an '83 last year because it was too good to pass up. Also, you might want to start enlightening the other half that the least expensive way to bikedom is to do your own work/maintanence. Good compression and a title are my baseline for induction to the herd. Good looking, running, and titled do cost more, but needing brakes or carb work can make them a really good deal.

 

[GTC@MSAC]

For many of us here, bike collecting and trading has been a way of life since at least our early 20's, if not earlier. But there are quite a lot of folks that still are in their 50's when then get a full-time bike of their own, so you're not alone, by any means. Like "kerryb", I have always had more than I can ride at any one time, but a good deal of time is spent on personal maintenance, and it can end up being an obsession, lol! I have to fight the urge to sell a bike I'm comfortable with when the price is right, but I generally have 2 or 3 more to put back together to keep riding. One bike takes up virtually no room at all, the problem for me is that "one" just isn't in my realm of reality, lol!

 

[Rednaxs60]

Keep finding wayward orphans, mostly back in Ontario but my brother won't give up his garage to my wanting to collect and store. He really needs to get with the program .

 

[Daeouse]

The crazy part is, I come across projects constantly, but bikes that don't fit my wife's rules (runs, rides, with title) are verboten. Now, if I buy a bike and strip it down a while after I get it. . .

 

[mcgovern61]

Rode this baby from '81 until our first child was born in '87:

Sold the bike in '88 and did not get my first Wing until that "child" got married and moved out in 2007 (although we still had 2 more kids at home). My first Wing was a neat barn find that was given to us. (FYI, there is no such thing as free! That "free" bike cost over $3000. in parts to get back on the road safely!)

Many iterations later, and she became known as "The Slug". Great bike that my girls helped restore and we had many good rides on her. From 2007 to 2021, she saw many miles (over 46,000 + miles added).

Sadly, in 2021, I had to let her go due to medical complications. It was a great 14 years meeting many folks from this forum and lots for trips up and down the East coast and Midwest.

 

[DaveKamp]

I had my first motorcycle LONG before married and kids... and frankly, between work, kids, neck surgery and changing houses... I had to go without riding motorcycles for a somewhat longer span than I wanted, but hey...

Look at your babies. Close your eyes for 5 seconds and imagine they're driving your car...
--When you open them, they are driving that car, and you'll pray they're safe.

Now, the one thing that NOBODY EVER tells you, but I WILL:

The most difficult day, is the day you walk over, look in your kids' room, and see their pictures on the wall, the bed made, and know that they're not staying in that room, or your house... anymore.

That's what I dealt with the day my son left for college. My daughter is still at home, but she's already picked her school, and once she's gone, it'll be just me and Ann.

That being said, My son has a motorcycle learner's permit in his pocket, and has ridden several rides on my old CX500D, while I rode my GL1200. My daughter has gone on weekend rides with me. My wife HATES motorcycling... so when my kids are off at college during spring and fall, and I decide to go on a ride, they'll be room on the seat, and they'll meet me for dinner. ;-)

Eventually you'll find one that meets your required criteria, but you WILL have to work on it. EVERY motorcycle requires maintenance, and it is best that the owner/rider know his steed well...

But keep your family first. There will be time to ride.

 

[Tom_Charlton]

Hello all.
Been here a long while, mostly lurking over the past few years. So many changes have happened since I owned Freebie, and in a lot of ways for the better. I've got married, bought a house, gotten said wife pregnant, and rode out a nasty bug that's gone around a few times. Things are pretty good.
However, there is a single note that is off in my world. I don't old a classic Wing. I know, big shock, someone crying about a motorcycle (or lack thereof) on a forum, perish the thought! But seriously, I came close several times over the past few years, but I'm not sure how it will be resolved at this juncture. Houses, kids, life, these things are expensive, and there's little room for a motorcycle project that's taking up space.
I say all this, not to cry online (though I guess I am doing that), but to talk with others who've gone through these doldrums and can offer advice to get through these times. I really do like Wings, however the rules of the house (running, good condition, with title) generally put my usual price range above my ability to generate.
Thoughts? Advice? Comments about how I whine too much?

I'm selling my bikes because my back won't let pickup a bike if I drop it. So far, the 78, 85, and 86 trike are gone. I still have an 84, an 86, and an 88 that need homes. The 84 has a leak at the back of the engine.

 

[Daeouse]

I'm selling my bikes because my back won't let pickup a bike if I drop it. So far, the 78, 85, and 86 trike are gone. I still have an 84, an 86, and an 88 that need homes. The 84 has a leak at the back of the engine.

Hmmm. . . I'll send you a message. . .

 

[Daeouse]

It's been a month, and things are gently rolling along. Sadly, my budget found a way to shrink further, so it really will become an exercise in saving towards a goal. A (local to me) member recently reached out and offered me a Wing for a goal, so there's a glimmer of hope in the future! It's nice to have a future goal to work towards. I love my family beyond words, as they drive me towards success, add to that having a second goal to look forward to gives me even more incentive to work hard.

 

[bib]

If that doesn't work out Slab's 1200 is still waiting for you in Ohio if you can find a way to transport it.

 

[Daeouse]

UPDATE!

I've entered into an agreement to purchase an 86 Aspencade from a fine gentleman who contacted me through this forum. It's gorgeous, as he cared for it very well, my wife loves it (essential), and he's willing to be patient with payment. I'll start a fresh thread when it's finally home!

 

[kerryb]

Glad to hear you found a bike! I was going to ask what the acceptable parameters were because I have a project bike in Florida that will be for sale when I'm done with it. Its a '75, but I haven't seen it yet. I was going to tailor my repairs to see if it could keep it within your reach. The wife said "you can have another project bike, but you can't keep two!".

 

[Daeouse]

Glad to hear you found a bike! I was going to ask what the acceptable parameters were because I have a project bike in Florida that will be for sale when I'm done with it. Its a '75, but I haven't seen it yet. I was going to tailor my repairs to see if it could keep it within your reach. The wife said "you can have another project bike, but you can't keep two!".

I'm always interested in another toy, if the budget allows. My wife's rules are easier, but they are:

1. Does it have a clean title?
2. Does it run?

The unspoken third rule is that it has to fit in our budget.

But otherwise, Projects can be fun. Just be careful it's not a chopped hipster bike. . .

 

[kerryb]

That was the question...how much is she allotting for budget. Is it realistic, or just a decoy?

 

[derrick woods]

Hello all.
Been here a long while, mostly lurking over the past few years. So many changes have happened since I owned Freebie, and in a lot of ways for the better. I've got married, bought a house, gotten said wife pregnant, and rode out a nasty bug that's gone around a few times. Things are pretty good.
However, there is a single note that is off in my world. I don't old a classic Wing. I know, big shock, someone crying about a motorcycle (or lack thereof) on a forum, perish the thought! But seriously, I came close several times over the past few years, but I'm not sure how it will be resolved at this juncture. Houses, kids, life, these things are expensive, and there's little room for a motorcycle project that's taking up space.
I say all this, not to cry online (though I guess I am doing that), but to talk with others who've gone through these doldrums and can offer advice to get through these times. I really do like Wings, however the rules of the house (running, good condition, with title) generally put my usual price range above my ability to generate.
Thoughts? Advice? Comments about how I whine too much?

 

[derrick woods]

Always loved motorcycles started working on small engine in my teenage years. Bought first bike at 24 it was an 82 cb750 restored it and loved it then bought 00 gsxr I hated that thing went to a shadow hated it traded it for a 76 sohc cb750 restored it took 5 years fell in love with these started restoring and selling them for great profit had a lot of them but none compared to that first 76i had it was a love hate relationship tore that bike down 3 times I had a hard time letting her go but the right deal came so I sold it finally for my current bike 76 gl1000 done a near complete resto on it into a scrambler kind of build. it is hands down my favorite bike I've ever owned I was hooked at first ride

She definitely didn't look like this when bought.My wife used to gripe when I bought another bike but didn't really care she always had new cars purses etc so I told her to sell her new car if my old bikes were such a problem ,well I'm still buying bikes. If you want it get it you can fix anything if you put your mind to it and there is a weath of knowledge on this forum with plenty of people to help you along the way .this is what I started with on my current bike minus the paint that was first item I did

Paid 1300 originally

This was my 76 heartbreaker put a lot of miles on her I'm 41 now and I've owned a bunch of bikes but none will ever compare to that first sohc cb but truth be told my 76 Goldy is no doubt my fav